I. Scope of Application
This guideline applies to the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent used by legally established inviting entities within the territory of the People's Republic of China to apply for foreign talent visas (hereinafter referred to as "R visas") for foreigners.
II. Target Applicants
(I) Basic Conditions of the Inviting Entity
1. They must be legally established, have an actual place of business, comply with tax obligations, pay social insurance, and have no serious records of legal violations or dishonesty.
2. If laws or regulations require prior approval by the competent industry authority, the employer shall obtain such approval.
(II) Basic Requirements for Applicants
1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old, in good health, have no criminal record, have a confirmed inviting entity within China, and maintain a good credit record.
2. Foreign high-end talent and urgently needed specialists who meet the criteria for "Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge and Urgently Needed" talent and market demand-oriented scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, specialized professionals, and highly skilled personnel must comply with the standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial). The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, may adjust the Foreign High-End Talent recognition standards in accordance with economic and social development needs and talent supply and demand. (For details, please refer to the Shanghai International Talent: https://www.sh-italent.com)
3. Young foreign talent, including foreign researchers participating in national task teams and recent doctoral graduates in key disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine, may, upon recognition by the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, directly apply for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent in accordance with relevant regulations and may obtain a foreign talent visa (R visa) with a validity period of up to 10 years.
4. If laws or regulations specify other conditions for foreigners working in China, such provisions shall apply.
III. Basis for Handling
1. Article 16 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates: Visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, service visas, and ordinary visas. Ordinary visas shall be issued to foreigners entering China for non-diplomatic and non-official purposes such as work, study, family visits, tourism, business activities, and talent introduction. The categories and issuance methods of ordinary visas shall be prescribed by the State Council.
2. Article 6 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners stipulates: Ordinary visas are divided into the following categories, with corresponding Chinese pinyin letters indicated on the visa. R visas are issued to foreign high-level talent and urgently needed specialized personnel required by the state.
Article 7 stipulates: Applicants for R visas shall meet the introduction conditions and requirements for foreign high-level talent and urgently needed specialized personnel as determined by the relevant Chinese government authorities and shall submit the corresponding supporting documents in accordance with regulations.
3. Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security on Issuing the Implementation Measures for the Foreign Talent Visa System (W.Z.F. [2017] No. 218).
4. General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's Notice on the Pilot Implementation of Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (G.K.B.C. [2022] No. 178).
IV. Requirements for Submission of Documents
1. All original paper documents and their Chinese translations shall be uploaded electronically to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.
2. Non-Chinese supporting documents shall be accompanied by Chinese translations, bearing the official seal of the inviting entity (excluding passports or international travel documents).
3. When applying for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent, there is no need to submit paper materials to the service window for verification; the entire application process is conducted online.
V. Application Procedure
1. For first-time use of the "Foreigner Work in China Management Service System", the inviting entity shall first log in to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's "National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform" (https://www.12333.gov.cn) and register an account in the system.
2. After filling in the entity information online, uploading all original documents, and submitting the information, the inviting entity does not need to wait for a system response. It shall bring the original entity registration information form, all original documents, and copies of the inviting entity's materials (all stamped with the official seal) directly to the receiving agency for real-name registration.The receiving department will not issue a separate notification upon approval.
3. For specific requirements on registration materials, please refer to the Guidelines for Handling the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (Trial). The employer or the entrusted specialized service agency may only use the system after successful account registration and verification by the receiving agency.
4. The inviting entity shall access the "Service System for Foreigners Working in China" and apply through the "Foreign High-End Talent Confirmation Letter for Talent Visa" section.
5. Fill in the applicant's basic information, educational background, work experience, application information, etc. truthfully, and upload the required original documents.
6. After uploading all original documents, submit the application and wait for acceptance. Once accepted, the inviting entity shall wait for the receiving and issuing agencies to review the application for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent.
VI. Required Documents
1. Application Form for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent: To be completed and printed online. The applicant must sign the form (a copy or fax is acceptable), which must then be stamped with the official seal of the inviting entity or the seal of the authorized department within the employer's organization, and uploaded to the system.
2. Invitation Letter from the Domestic Entity: Issued by the inviting entity, stamped with the official seal of the inviting entity or the authorized department seal within the inviting entity, and uploaded to the system.
3. Applicants who meet the recognition standards for R visa talent shall provide supporting documents in accordance with the standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), as follows:
① For those selected under domestic talent introduction programs: Relevant certificates, supporting documents, or official documents (including the list of selected individuals) shall be provided.
② For those meeting internationally recognized standards of professional achievement: Corresponding awards, certificates, or supporting documents shall be provided.
③ For foreign talent meeting market-oriented encouraged position requirements: Enterprise qualification certificates, organizational structure charts, labor contracts or letters of appointment, and other supporting materials shall be provided (referring to the Guidelines for Handling the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (Trial) for details), as well as proof of the foreign talent's qualifications, such as work experience certificates from relevant entities in China or materials showing that the foreign talent is being invited to provide enterprise management or technical support.
④ For innovation and entrepreneurship talent: Investment certificates, such as a capital verification report (paid-in capital) issued within the past 12 months, and proof of significant technological inventions, patents, proprietary intellectual property rights, or proprietary technologies shall be provided.
⑤ For outstanding young talent: The highest academic degree (qualification) certificate and authentication documents shall be provided. If there are requirements regarding the university ranking, proof of the university's ranking shall also be submitted. Outstanding graduates shall provide corresponding academic performance certificates.
⑥ For applicants with a point-based score of 85 points or above: Corresponding point-based score proof materials shall be provided.
4. Applicant's Passport or International Travel Document: Information page of the passport or international travel document. The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than six months.
5. Applicant's Front-Facing Bareheaded Photo Taken Within the Last Six Months: A recent electronic photo with a white background, no border, full facial features visible, clear image, and free of spots, blemishes, or ink defects. Wearing hats or headscarves is not recommended. If required for religious reasons, the accessory must not cover the applicant's full face.
6. Other Documents: Additional documents as required by the receiving or issuing authority based on specific needs.
VII. Important Notes
1. Applicants with a point-based score of 85 points or above shall provide materials such as the highest academic degree (qualification) certificate, professional qualification certificates, Chinese language proficiency certificate (HSK certificate), employment contract (dispatch letter), income proof of annual salary for work in China, and proof of work experience.
2. Additional points under the point-based system for local incentive items refer to urgently needed and specialized talent in line with the city’s economic and social development needs, recommended by relevant industry associations recognized by higher-level authorities or competent industry authorities. Up to 10 additional points may be granted. The main categories include: Other foreign personnel urgently needed by foreign-funded research and development centers; Other foreign personnel urgently needed by centrally administered enterprises and their second-level subsidiaries, Global or Regional Headquarters of Fortune 500 companies, National High-Tech Enterprises, Nationally Recognized Enterprise Engineering Research Centers, Engineering Laboratories, Engineering Technology Research Centers, Enterprise Technology Centers, and Local Technology Innovation Service Platforms; Innovation and entrepreneurship talent recommended by district-level talent authorities; Other foreign talent with special expertise urgently needed in Shanghai.
3. Foreigners entering China with an R visa for work must have their employer apply for a Foreigner's Work Permit in accordance with corresponding policies through the foreigner work management authority.
4. If the accepting or decision-making authority determines that the content of the Chinese translation seriously deviates from the meaning of the original document, the employer may be required to re-submit the translation.
5. After the online decision is approved, the inviting entity shall print the automatically generated the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent.
6. For relevant policies, service guidelines, and some sample forms and commitment letter templates related to the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China, please refer to the Shanghai International Talent platform (https://www.sh-italent.com).
7. The employer and the foreigner shall ensure the authenticity of the commitments submitted and actively cooperate with verification work conducted by the approval authorities during interviews and ongoing and ex post regulatory inspections. If false commitments are provided, the approval authority has the right to cancel the administrative decision in accordance with the law and suspend the employer, agency, and foreigner from applying for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China. Violations of laws and regulations will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
VIII. Approval Timeframe
Acceptance period: One working day (based on the complete and compliant documents submitted).
Review period: five working days (based on the documents accepted online).
In special circumstances where an extension of the review period is required, the accepting or decision-making authority will handle the matter at its discretion.